Drought arm-twists farmers to destock cattle
Friday, July 12, 2024 | 490 Views |
BMC Headquaters
According to figures released recently by the Bank of Botswana, meat exports which primarily comprise beef, soared to P173.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, the highest quarterly outcome since 2019.
Beef sector insiders told BusinessWeek that the drought had left farmers with no option but to panic sell their livestock to the BMC in an attempt to get the most out of their rapidly slimming herd. With little pasture nationwide after the long dry spell, farmers have been forced to dispose of their livestock to minimise their losses. The BMC is seen as offering the best prices in the market.
While the minister is of the view that the proposal would have significant positive economic impact, the entertainment industry players believe otherwise. The issue has over the weeks become a hot potato. But what is of essence right now is that the country needs liberal ideas to move in the right direction While opening up the economy may sound quite interesting to the ear, rolling out extended trading hours through pilot programmes without...